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Fish soup - 5/5, tender delicious fish! Tasty soup! Delicious and warming. Their veggie was really good too, 5/5. Super flavorful and perfectly crunchy. Don't remember what it was called, but definitely will get again Stir fried mushrooms - 4/5, also a really great veggie dish that was packed with flavor. I can't handle spice well and don't prefer peppers, but it was still really good! Pork feet - 3/5, wasn't tender enough
Ping's Bistro in Foster City absolutely slaps ((_). Every dish here felt like it came straight out of a sweaty fever dream, the good kind. The Signature Grilled Fish with Lemongrass was the clear winner. Perfectly grilled, tender fish topped with a mountain of herbs, chili, and lemongrass that hits all the right notes: spicy, citrusy, and just an overall edgy dish. A bit on the pricier side, but worth it. The Shepherd's Purse Glutinous Rice Cakes were crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, a hit with the kids as well. The Fried Rice was delicious with earthy mushrooms, savory bits, also a good option for the kids. The Braised Pork Belly was very good, especially when paired with a rice dish, mixing in the sauce it's served over. Cozy spot, shareable dishes, and flavors that will live rent-free in your dome. Waits can be long on Friday nights. A foster city gem.
Excellent Chinese place in Foster City, though I think it's a bit on the pricey side. Sorry I'm a bit imprecise with the items because others ordered for me. We had an excellent fish tomato soup. Full of tomato flavour and really yummy. I couldn't have enough and it goes really well with rice. The fish seems like great quality. Also had a chicken in hot pot with sauce. This is bone in chicken with small pieces many with skin. Really yummy, very tender chicken and the sauce was great. Another veggie dish which is really spicy but I don't know the name. My friends had them order them a bit less spicy for me so it doesn't need to be fiery hot for everything.
Great taste and very upscale looking interior even though it is in a not-so-upscale shopping mall. I normally don't like Chinese restaurants but this one definitely seemed legit and didn't overload with artificial flavorings and MSG in their dishes. The spice level was very manageable -- after looking at the concentration of chilies I was expecting a lot worse but it really enhanced the flavor without overwhelming it. A couple of specialty dishes like beef slices with mint leaves which was a very distinctive flavor profile and something that paired excellently with the chopped chilies over top. I think they have a couple other locations in the Bay Area but I've never been to the other ones to confirm -- if they are the same would highly recommend those as well. This would definitely be top of my list if I was in the area again and wanted to get Chinese food with friends.
Wonderful service and traditional Yunnan food at reasonable prices (each dish is around $20). Yunnan is known for their mushroom dishes, so be sure to try one of those! They have good flavor and plenty of spice options (they have chili peppers next to the items). You order on a tablet where they have pictures of all the foods, but there are possibly too many choices to make! Seating can be tight and they're usually quite busy before 7 PM and then the restaurant starts to clear out. They also offer some nice lemon mint water!
There was a long wait but the food was great. The food is very delicious and flavorful. I will definitely come back and try more food. Just a heads up the restaurant is towards the back of the plaza because my friend and I almost walked into a different restaurant.
We visit Ping's Bistro occasionally, and the food is consistently good. I appreciate that new dishes are sometimes added to the menu. We have noted that the restaurant is always busy on weekends, and the parking is very easy. We definitely plan to come back again.
Delicious food! Although service was quite slow. The servers were apologetic but the yummy food made up for it.
Honestly, I never had high expectations for "Yunnan cuisine" in the U.S., but Ping's Bistro completely proved me wrong--and I'm happily so. From the first visit, it was clear this isn't an "Americanized Chinese restaurant," but a place that truly understands Chinese cooking, technique, and flavor. What impressed me most were the mushroom dishes. Being able to enjoy mushrooms with such depth and complexity in the U.S. is already rare. The aroma isn't built from heavy seasoning, but from the ingredients themselves, fully brought out. The flavors are clean, natural, and incredibly fragrant--the kind that lingers and keeps you wanting more. It immediately brought back memories of authentic Yunnan flavors. Even more impressive were some of the seemingly ordinary stir-fried dishes. At first glance, they look simple, almost unassuming. One bite in, though, and you instantly understand what real wok hei is. That smoky, high-heat flavor can only come from a skilled chef using proper equipment and precise timing. It's not greasy or overpowering--just deeply aromatic and perfectly balanced. Simple, yet elevated. Overall, this is a restaurant that doesn't rely on gimmicks, fancy plating, or social-media hype. Everything is driven by pure technique and respect for ingredients. Each dish has a clear identity and leaves a lasting impression--not something you just photograph and forget, but something you actually remember. In the Bay Area, where Chinese restaurants are everywhere but truly great ones are rare, Ping's Bistro is a place I'd gladly return to again and again. If you're looking for something different, want to experience real wok hei, or simply appreciate honest, well-executed Chinese cooking, this spot is absolutely worth a dedicated visit.
They are closed on Tuesday so we came on a Monday at opening and was seated right away. The servers were nice and attentive. We got the cold mix noodles, lemongrass fish (it has a little kick to it, but soo good), cabbage, shredded potatoes, and spicy beef. Highly recommend the fish here. Their prices were reasonable as well! Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!
Ping's was suggested by my niece for dinner. Looking on Yelp, I saw lots of photos of delicious looking food. Arriving at 7:00 p.m. on a Friday night, the restaurant was full. The space is clean and spacious. We didn't have to wait too long for a table of five. We ordered on the iPad provided at our table (don't take too long to order as the iPad resets after a few minutes due to inactivity even if you are scrolling and looking at the menu). We placed our order and a server came by to let us know the wait for our food may be a little while because they were so busy. The servers speak Mandarin although they do speak some limited English. Every dish we ordered was really good. A few of them were really spicy as we didn't ask for any adjustments. Stir fried water spinach with sour bamboo shoots - only order this if you like bamboo shoots as there is an overwhelming bamboo shoot flavor - 7/10 Braised pig feet - very flavorful but more bone than meat/skin - 7/10 Steamed pork belly w/preserved veggies - 9/10 Dai style deep fried pork - 8/10 Dai style beef with cilantro - 9/10 Yunan small pot rice noodles - 9/10 Stewed rice with wild black tiger fungus and ham - 9/10 Overall a very satisfying and filling meal. Will definitely return.
Came here to catch up with a friend. She recommended the spot and we showed up. It is situated in Marina plaza in San Mateo. It is relatively new. Order is placed with the QR code scan on phone. Food was amazingly authentic. The chicken mushroom soup is flavorful yet light. Cauliflower stir fry is pretty good and the stir fry dish was nicely executed. Staff is very helpful. Place is casual yet comfy. Would like to revisit with kids next time.
After our acupuncture and massage appointment, we were starving and decided to find a nearby lunch spot. Since it was already late in the afternoon, we were lucky to find this place open, though they were closing in 30 minutes. We browsed the QR menu and decided to share the lunch special: rice with house-special pork knuckle and Yunnan-style braised chicken with potato and rice cake. The pork was incredibly tender, juicy, and well-seasoned, while the chicken had a rich, bold flavor with a nice kick of spice. Both dishes were generously portioned that we even had to box up the leftovers! The restaurant has a casual vibe, and the staff was efficient and attentive. I'm excited to know they have a location near Cupertino, so I'll definitely be back to try more dishes!
1 month ago
6 months ago
We made a reservation for a party of 9 and they gave us a private room which was nice since we were celebrating a birthday. You order on an iPad and the server will come in after to confirm the choices you ordered. If you like spicy mala food, this is the place to try! Everything we ordered was mild spicy since some people in our party couldn't handle spicy well and it was still kicking but with good flavor! Everything we ordered was honestly delicious. I can't remember the names, but definitely order the full fish soup, the fried rice and and the cauliflower with lotus root. The only downside is the servers mainly speak mandarin and super quick! But they do understand English and the iPad can be converted to English. read more
11 months ago
Heard a lot about Ping's Bistro and the hype is pretty real. Went on a Monday right when they opened because I was told they get packed quickly but it wasn't as packed as we thought it would be. The food though, was pretty good! A lot better (and spicier) than other places that market themselves as having spicy food. The service was excellent! read more
Fish soup - 5/5, tender delicious fish! Tasty soup! Delicious and warming. Their veggie was really good too, 5/5. Super flavorful and perfectly crunchy. Don't remember what it was called, but definitely will get again Stir fried mushrooms - 4/5, also a really great veggie dish that was packed with flavor. I can't handle spice well and don't prefer peppers, but it was still really good! Pork feet - 3/5, wasn't tender enough read more
Ping's Bistro in Foster City absolutely slaps ((_). Every dish here felt like it came straight out of a sweaty fever dream, the good kind. The Signature Grilled Fish with Lemongrass was the clear winner. Perfectly grilled, tender fish topped with a mountain of herbs, chili, and lemongrass that hits all the right notes: spicy, citrusy, and just an overall edgy dish. A bit on the pricier side, but worth it. The Shepherd's Purse Glutinous Rice Cakes were crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, a hit with the kids as well. The Fried Rice was delicious with earthy mushrooms, savory bits, also a good option for the kids. The Braised Pork Belly was very good, especially when paired with a rice dish, mixing in the sauce it's served over. Cozy spot, shareable dishes, and flavors that will live rent-free in your dome. Waits can be long on Friday nights. A foster city gem. read more
Excellent Chinese place in Foster City, though I think it's a bit on the pricey side. Sorry I'm a bit imprecise with the items because others ordered for me. We had an excellent fish tomato soup. Full of tomato flavour and really yummy. I couldn't have enough and it goes really well with rice. The fish seems like great quality. Also had a chicken in hot pot with sauce. This is bone in chicken with small pieces many with skin. Really yummy, very tender chicken and the sauce was great. Another veggie dish which is really spicy but I don't know the name. My friends had them order them a bit less spicy for me so it doesn't need to be fiery hot for everything. read more
1 year ago
Great taste and very upscale looking interior even though it is in a not-so-upscale shopping mall. I normally don't like Chinese restaurants but this one definitely seemed legit and didn't overload with artificial flavorings and MSG in their dishes. The spice level was very manageable -- after looking at the concentration of chilies I was expecting a lot worse but it really enhanced the flavor without overwhelming it. A couple of specialty dishes like beef slices with mint leaves which was a very distinctive flavor profile and something that paired excellently with the chopped chilies over top. I think they have a couple other locations in the Bay Area but I've never been to the other ones to confirm -- if they are the same would highly recommend those as well. This would definitely be top of my list if I was in the area again and wanted to get Chinese food with friends. read more
Wonderful service and traditional Yunnan food at reasonable prices (each dish is around $20). Yunnan is known for their mushroom dishes, so be sure to try one of those! They have good flavor and plenty of spice options (they have chili peppers next to the items). You order on a tablet where they have pictures of all the foods, but there are possibly too many choices to make! Seating can be tight and they're usually quite busy before 7 PM and then the restaurant starts to clear out. They also offer some nice lemon mint water! read more
There was a long wait but the food was great. The food is very delicious and flavorful. I will definitely come back and try more food. Just a heads up the restaurant is towards the back of the plaza because my friend and I almost walked into a different restaurant. read more
We visit Ping's Bistro occasionally, and the food is consistently good. I appreciate that new dishes are sometimes added to the menu. We have noted that the restaurant is always busy on weekends, and the parking is very easy. We definitely plan to come back again. read more
10 months ago
Honestly, I never had high expectations for "Yunnan cuisine" in the U.S., but Ping's Bistro completely proved me wrong--and I'm happily so. From the first visit, it was clear this isn't an "Americanized Chinese restaurant," but a place that truly understands Chinese cooking, technique, and flavor. What impressed me most were the mushroom dishes. Being able to enjoy mushrooms with such depth and complexity in the U.S. is already rare. The aroma isn't built from heavy seasoning, but from the ingredients themselves, fully brought out. The flavors are clean, natural, and incredibly fragrant--the kind that lingers and keeps you wanting more. It immediately brought back memories of authentic Yunnan flavors. Even more impressive were some of the seemingly ordinary stir-fried dishes. At first glance, they look simple, almost unassuming. One bite in, though, and you instantly understand what real wok hei is. That smoky, high-heat flavor can only come from a skilled chef using proper equipment and precise timing. It's not greasy or overpowering--just deeply aromatic and perfectly balanced. Simple, yet elevated. Overall, this is a restaurant that doesn't rely on gimmicks, fancy plating, or social-media hype. Everything is driven by pure technique and respect for ingredients. Each dish has a clear identity and leaves a lasting impression--not something you just photograph and forget, but something you actually remember. In the Bay Area, where Chinese restaurants are everywhere but truly great ones are rare, Ping's Bistro is a place I'd gladly return to again and again. If you're looking for something different, want to experience real wok hei, or simply appreciate honest, well-executed Chinese cooking, this spot is absolutely worth a dedicated visit. read more
They are closed on Tuesday so we came on a Monday at opening and was seated right away. The servers were nice and attentive. We got the cold mix noodles, lemongrass fish (it has a little kick to it, but soo good), cabbage, shredded potatoes, and spicy beef. Highly recommend the fish here. Their prices were reasonable as well! Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area! read more
Ping's was suggested by my niece for dinner. Looking on Yelp, I saw lots of photos of delicious looking food. Arriving at 7:00 p.m. on a Friday night, the restaurant was full. The space is clean and spacious. We didn't have to wait too long for a table of five. We ordered on the iPad provided at our table (don't take too long to order as the iPad resets after a few minutes due to inactivity even if you are scrolling and looking at the menu). We placed our order and a server came by to let us know the wait for our food may be a little while because they were so busy. The servers speak Mandarin although they do speak some limited English. Every dish we ordered was really good. A few of them were really spicy as we didn't ask for any adjustments. Stir fried water spinach with sour bamboo shoots - only order this if you like bamboo shoots as there is an overwhelming bamboo shoot flavor - 7/10 Braised pig feet - very flavorful but more bone than meat/skin - 7/10 Steamed pork belly w/preserved veggies - 9/10 Dai style deep fried pork - 8/10 Dai style beef with cilantro - 9/10 Yunan small pot rice noodles - 9/10 Stewed rice with wild black tiger fungus and ham - 9/10 Overall a very satisfying and filling meal. Will definitely return. read more
2 years ago
Came here to catch up with a friend. She recommended the spot and we showed up. It is situated in Marina plaza in San Mateo. It is relatively new. Order is placed with the QR code scan on phone. Food was amazingly authentic. The chicken mushroom soup is flavorful yet light. Cauliflower stir fry is pretty good and the stir fry dish was nicely executed. Staff is very helpful. Place is casual yet comfy. Would like to revisit with kids next time. read more
2 years ago
After our acupuncture and massage appointment, we were starving and decided to find a nearby lunch spot. Since it was already late in the afternoon, we were lucky to find this place open, though they were closing in 30 minutes. We browsed the QR menu and decided to share the lunch special: rice with house-special pork knuckle and Yunnan-style braised chicken with potato and rice cake. The pork was incredibly tender, juicy, and well-seasoned, while the chicken had a rich, bold flavor with a nice kick of spice. Both dishes were generously portioned that we even had to box up the leftovers! The restaurant has a casual vibe, and the staff was efficient and attentive. I'm excited to know they have a location near Cupertino, so I'll definitely be back to try more dishes! read more
11 months ago
I have been wanting to visit here for 2 years. Finally got a chance, flight in, it has a good Tesla charger nearby, so it's covenice. The line is like 5 tables away on a Saturday lunch. But they move quite fast and you can order the food while you eat. I ordered 6 main dish just by myself. Best dish I think is the pepper and mushroom stir fry. And bacon mushroom fried rice. read more
3 months ago
I kept on reading how good this restaurant is, but there is nothing we want to order. We finally try anyways and it did not disappoint. I was expecting exceptional taste or texture, but it wasn't either. They use a lot of exotic Chinese spices and ingredients. Good for Yelpers who like something different, but not for everybody. The food is on the greasy side with super funky flavors. Not a place I would go often, but every now and then when I want something different. We haven't tried anything worth ordering again. We went on a rainy weekday and quite a few tables are available before 6pm. read more
Used to be my favorite Chinese restaurant in San Mateo county even before they moved from El Camino to Marina Foods plaza. I loved some of their lunch specials and although they kept on raising prices but at least they taste good. The service is good as they would wrap leftover food for you instead of just throwing you some togo boxes. This place used to focus on Hunan but probably sensing a lack of Yunan cuisine they are branching out to Yunan food. I don't think they are that authentic but at least they are delicious. I really like their Farmers Combo (egg, pork, wood ear mushroom and other stuff), spicy and sour beef, and Iove their conch with special mushrooms. Their spiciness is authentic so when they say original spicy make sure you can hold your spiciness before being gunho about your tolerance to spicy food. The place is not large so you may have to wait in the weekend. I do think the price is too high now especially their frog dishes but I still decided to keep the 5 star rating because it is still one of the best Chinese food restaurants in the Bay Area. Oh you can also find parking in the rear or side if parking at the front is too crowded. read more
This place is hyped. It's our second time here. The menu is fairly brief, and not all items are good. One tip is to follow the number of previous orders. Ordering popular dishes usually won't go wrong. We ordered 3 items this time. The Braised Wild Chanterelle with Cage Free Chicken, Stew Beef Combination in Copper Potbeef sirloin,tripe,louver), and stir fried vegetables with pork lard. The chicken pot is, tasty, but expensive. We really liked the flavor and the sauce goes really well with rice, but there's quite little chicken (and a lot of bones to pick). Go for it if you are insensitive to price. The beef pot has good portion and is also quite good. It's spicy and salty. The stir fried vege with lard is also quite flavorful, but it might not be the healthy vege dish you would hope for. Overall we feel like this is an ok place to go if you know what to order. read more
Visited with my parents who were so excited to show me this restaurant. There was a short wait but before you're seated, they give you a ipad to order from, which I appreciated so that the food could come out quickly when we were seated. My parents raved about the fish soup, so we got that and we tried the spicy frog legs. The fish soup was so delicious and cozy, perfect for the cold day. It was rich in flavor and only got better with time. The fish was also perfectly cooked and tender, absolutely delicious, and it came with a spicy soy sauce sort of sauce for extra flavor to dip the fish in. The frog legs were in a delicious Szechuan style chili sauce, which I loved. We got it less spicy and salty, which I thought was perfect. The frog legs were generous and meaty. The sauce covered veggies were delicious over rice. Overall, the portions are big as well, and we had leftovers. I would love to come back and try other dishes from here! read more
1 year ago
It is a must-visit! The food was outstanding--fresh, flavorful. The service was excellent. A huge bonus: they offered a generous birthday discount! It was a great touch that made our celebration extra special. Highly recommend! read more
4 months ago
Very delicious and authentic food! Everything tasted flavorful and homemade. Really enjoyed it, highly recommend the mushroom dishes. read more
1 year ago
They'd like to charge you a 15% "service fee," and then still expect you to tip the waiter? The prices on your menu should already include fair compensation for your employees -- instead of making customers cover your entire labor cost just for having staff in your restaurant! Absolutely ridiculous. I actually feel bad for the people working there. read more
2 months ago
If I wasn't meandering about this plaza, I would not have found this place tucked away in the alley. The lines were what drew my attention and it was PACKED inside. We came back on a Saturday at 6:30PM. Overall wait time for our party of 6 was 45 minutes. To pass the time you can place your order on an iPad in the waiting area. Our drinks came out promptly after sitting down. Food was spicy and super flavorful. Ask the server if you're unsure about the spicy level! Portions were small for the price. But I would come back if I was craving this cuisine and if I had a large group again to order a variety. read more
One of the best Chinese restaurants in San Mateo! But you should probably get there early cause the wait can get pretty long. My friends and I did family style so that we could try more dishes - everything we ordered was delicious and I couldn't really find any faults with the food read more
2 years ago
7 months ago
6 months ago
They were previously on El Camino Real, but now moved to the Marina Plaza. The food here is unique and amazing! They offer authentic Yunan cuisine, which is such a rare find. The mushrooms in the Yunan cuisine is so fresh and exquisite that they can go a long way in various dishes. We also tried the mint wrapped by marinated beef slices. It was so flavorful that I cannot believe this is the first time I eat such combination. The service is pretty good. Staff is friendly and efficient. The restaurant is also better decorated than previously, although tables a bit tight among each other. read more
2 years ago
Food so delicious and authentic , not salty. Fresh , large potion good for the whole family of 6. Service is good, but doesn't socialize that much. Maybe language barrier read more
3 months ago
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More info about Ping’s Bistro
2946 S Norfolk St
San Mateo, CA 94403
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(650) 781-3987
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Ask the Community - Ping’s Bistro
Does soup still come with the Lunch Bento Box?
We have no longer provide soup with our Bento Box. The bento box only comes with the choice of your dish, a side dish and rice.
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